The New Natures international and multidisciplinary panel consists of ecologists, scientists, climate change experts, planners and landscape architects, who will explore and question the way in which we conceptualize and transform landscapes from an ecological perspective.

The session begins with the proposition that the denatured conditions of Anthropocene call into question the very idea of Nature as we know it. Panelists will offer their views on what the landscape of the Anthropocene is and what it could yet become. Are anthropogenic landscapes predominantly 'novel’ ecologies and if so then what is the role of the landscape architect in managing those novel systems.

Discussion will range from ideological considerations, to confronting divides between the planning, design and ecology disciplines, and debate the ways in which our cities and associated productive landscapes are hostile to or supportive of biodiversity. What sorts of systemic changes and at what scales should such changes apply if we are to create a more resilient, healthy and productive landscape. Would, for example optimising cities consumptive and productive patterns free new rural landscapes for conservation?

Ultimately, the question is whether landscape architecture can have a larger role in determining the landscape of the Anthropocene and if so how?